Andre Drummond on Team USA: 'I'm worthy to play and contribute to this team'

Many were surprised by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond's inclusion on Team USA, even Drummond himself.

“It wasn’t something I necessarily expected,” Drummond told the Detroit Free Press. “But I feel like I worked hard enough and that I’m worthy to play and contribute to this team.”

The 21-year-old was a surprising inclusion because he lacks the traditional skillset befitting of bigs in international play. Drummond has no jumpshot and an underdeveloped post game, which makes him a limited player on the offensive end.

But what Drummond does have is athleticism and size that he leverages into shot-blocking and rebounding. Standing at a hulking 6-foot-10, 270 pounds, Drummond is a menace in the paint, having averaged 2.1 blocks and 14.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in two seasons with the Pistons.

In particular, Drummond feels he can take advantage of FIBA's offensive goaltending rules. In NBA play, offensive players aren't allowed to touch the ball inside the cylinder of the rim, a rule that's relaxed under FIBA stipulations. That plays to Drummond's advantage, as he frequently plays above-the-rim.

Ultimately, the goal for Drummond is just to help the team win. "When you put on a Team USA jersey, all egos and NBA rivalries get thrown out the window. We’re here for one thing and that’s to win the gold medal."